That’s how you say “Happy New Year” in Mandarin. Another greeting you can use for Chinese New Year is Gong Xi Fa Cai! Which is how you wish those you care about a prosperous new year. You can respond with Hong bao na lai! Which literally means, “bring me the red envelope.” I like to think we are a deep culture with quite the sense of humor.

This year Chinese New Year falls on February 8th, and the Monkey rules the year. My oldest was born in the year of the Monkey, so she’s very excited that this is her year.

I love the Chinese zodiac, it’s fascinating how characteristics of people born under certain animals that rule those years, seem to ring true. For my daughter, who was born under the sign of the Monkey, she is quick-witted, smart, clever, intelligent, gentle, honest, enthusiastic, sociable, innovative, and lots of fun. So if you’re also born under the Monkey Zodiac, do you find you are similar too?

Today I wanted to share 3 simple ways to celebrate Chinese New Year. I get it, we’re all busy and finding ways to simplify holidays helps me, immensely. Without further adieu, here are, 3 Simple Ways to Celebrate Chinese New Year.

Clean. Ha! I tricked you. You thought this was simple. We believe in having a tidy house for the new year, as we sweep away the cobwebs, and dust, and add a shine to our homes. We hope this will usher out any negative moments from the past year, as we welcome all the good fortune into our lives for the new year. Sometimes this whole cleaning bit, for me, is a case of how the spirit is willing, but the body; the body would rather take a nap, or read, or eat. The next simple way to celebrate Chinese New Year is better. Trust me.

Eat. Yes! This is like a reward for all the cleaning and the preparing done for the new year, or in my case, the mere thought of cleaning. This might be my favorite simple way to celebrate Chinese New Year. Eat all the food. Feast! Choose noodles to encourage longevity. The longer the noodles, the better chances you have of not kicking the bucket before your time. Eat dumplings, that look like silver ingots for a prosperous year. The more dumplings you eat, the fatter your bum wallet. Eating oranges and pomelos bring the same prosperity. Plus, they’re delicious. Handy tip, check out Costco for giant, juicy Pomelos. If you see a cart full of them, it’s probably mine.

Give. Specifically, give red envelopes, filled with cash. Red is a color that symbolizes happiness, luck and energy. So when you give family and friends red envelopes, it’s a symbol of wishing them well in the new year. As a child I remember getting red envelopes, and I remember how I was taught to receive them. I bowed my head and received the envelope with both hands to show respect. I may or may not have scampered away quickly, to open up the envelope politely in private, to check how much was actually in the envelope. Fine. That wasn’t me. I kind of wished it was, it would make me so much more interesting as a kid. Instead I was a super-polite, rule-follower that felt slightly uncomfortable receiving gifts. My, how times have changed. In our family growing up, only the kids received red envelopes. Once you grew up, you were out of luck.

Since I want to offer you simplicity this year, you can purchase the darling red envelopes, pictured above, from my friend Chrissy Jee, The Dumpling Mama. She’s extending a 20% off code to all of you, my fabulous readers. Use the code: AFAMILYLIVESHERE for 20% at her store. She just sent me some, and the designs are beautiful. I love the heft of the paper quality as well. Stock up now, the code AFAMILYLIVESHERE expires February 29th, 2016. Gong xi fa cai!

If you live in the Sacramento Area, you can celebrate Chinese New Year with the Chinese New Year Cultural Association (CNYCA) on Saturday, January 30, 2016. Visit their website for ticket prices and more information.

Cheers!

Learn more about our traditions and important issues for the New Year from my fellow #AsianMomBloggers:

My feet complain, like they’re inmates at Guantanamo, when I wear my favorite high, high heels to go dancing. My knees like to alert me immediately, anytime the barometric pressure changes. When I sit too long, my left hip gets all offended. It proceeds to smugly say, “I told you so” by making it ache when I get up to get going.

The back of my left shoulder just wants to be a selfish bastard, and remind me it’s there every second of every day by aching so much I am highly tempted to google, “how to operate on your own shoulder with your eyes closed.” My eyes? They like to be at home at a reasonable hour, so they tend to freak out if I drive at night.

Now you’re wondering if I’m really 75 instead of 35.

Jokes on you! (or me?)

I love reading about zodiac signs. I don’t do it very often. Plus, that kind of information just floats in through my eyes, and poof, disappears, like I didn’t even read it. My mind is given to misplacing tidbits and sometimes events, appointments, wallets, and where I left that thing I had in my hands two seconds ago.

The folks that used to organize information in my head, and update me left years ago, they got bored. Too bad really, just when things are starting to get exciting. Poor Jeffrey is the last one holding down my memory banks. He’s gotten all knobby over the years, and his corduroys are all patchy, but he shuffles along in his slippers and does the best he can. I think he’s endearing. Especially when his spectacles slip down his nose and he forgets that he needs to wipe them clean, more often than not. In that aspect, we are very similar. We always forget to clean our lenses. We’re also surprised whenever we discover just how dusty they’ve gotten, when we finally wipe them, and delightfully discover we can see again. Really, though, Jeffrey does his best, so give the guy a break.

What???

You don’t have little people in your head?

WEIRD.

Back to the zodiac. Leos love the sun. I do. Snakes do too. Right? I should wikipedia this. BUT. It’s my birthday. I don’t have to if I don’t want to. Actually, I want to, I’m just too darn tired to. I’m 35, you know. We’re also loyal, wise, generous, but we get bat $#&% crazy when you piss us off. It’s probably our best characteristic if you think about it. We’re always primed to defend those we love, and value at any moment. It’s jumpy energy all the time! So if you have us on your side, you’re set. Just don’t screw with us. *grin*

Today I’m laughing at with Joey. FRIENDS was and still is a huge part of my vocabulary. Events, or phrases always remind me of that one episode, with that one bit. It was also when I was in my 20s. Which, is still how old I really feel, deep, down in my soul. Sometimes I’m also a giggly, silly pre-teen inside, only with better hair, smaller glasses, and a bit more know-how.

I’m grateful to be here. In this little plot of mine.

I’m grateful you’re here too. Thanks for playing a part.

Go eat something yummy for me today. You know what I like.

Cheers!

ps. Oh, hey, if you want… You can like my Facebook page, just because. Or, whatever. I’m playing it cool. In no way, whatsoever. *smooch*

This past weekend I was treated to a girls getaway by the husband of my friend Stephanie, who turned 40. I know. I had to reread that a few times too. Dude. It makes me so happy when good friends have wonderful spouses.

Driving across the Bay Bridge at dusk.

My friend Stephanie and I met when I was 19. She was a returned missionary, just six years older than me. She had served a mission in Bordeaux, France. In addition to school work, she taught in the linguistics department, and was learning Chinese. We met at the Foreign Language Student Residence at BYU. BYU has some of the best language experiences I know of. After our time as roommates, Stephanie went on to get her law degree. She met her husband while in law school. It has been a pleasure to remain friends over time. I’m grateful for her example, and strength.

We’ve been able to stay and touch, and visit a few times. In 2009 we hit up San Francisco with our kids. In 2010 we did a girls weekend with our daughters to see The Nutcracker.

The Stephanies in 1997 – home from a formal dance at BYU. Dude. That was 15 years ago!

I’ve heard of girls getaways for pure pleasure, but had yet to be on one. I’ve gone to conferences, but those are different. There’s places you have to be, and duties to be taken care of. To have the opportunity to sleep-in with no cares, obligations, or chores to attend to… wow. No, seriously, wow.

Powell street trolley. By the way, I have yet to ride a trolley. I’ve lived in the Bay Area since ’89. It’s on the list of things to do with my family…sooner, rather than later.

There’s something different about exploring a city you’ve visited many times before, where you can just stroll, stop, look and pause. If I’m with my husband, he’s focused on getting to the destination. If I’m with my daughters, I’m hoping we get to the next destination before absolute chaos, or supersonic whining begins.

I loved the trees lining Powell Street.

Exploring a city with girlfriends, depending on personalities, can be soothing, uniquely fascinating, and nearly everything you’ve seen before, reveals it’s secrets.

Gorgeous doors in Nob Hill.

In a nutshell, if you ever get a chance, do it.

Over the next few days I’ll share the delicious eats we enjoyed, and tidbits from the trip.

I’m so grateful to be counted as a friend of Stephanie’s. I am honored by her husband to be invited on this trip. Cheers to her, her fabulous marriage, and to many, many years filled with celebrations. Wo ai ni!

It’s hard to get up on a school day when it’s birthday day. Luckily, I reminded her that she was bringing her favorite snickerdoodles, and lollipops to school for her birthday. That perked her right up. It also was special, knowing that daddy had already gotten up early to make his special french toast for her breakfast. My little one loves french toast with fresh blueberries.

How do I describe this little one. She is adorable and infuriating at the same time. I told my husband I’d have to give her future spouse a direct line to call me in all the events he loses his mind trying to figure her out. My husband looked at me and said, “NO. He needs a direct line to me. I know what it’s like.”

This little one is an eternal cuddle bug. She loves to curl up in our arms, lay on the bed and chat, or just smile. She comes into my bed every night. EVERY.NIGHT. She’ll be zonked out sleeping, but her body wakes her up around midnight, and she walks over and tucks herself in. While she is an amazing cuddler (I may have made up a new word), she is also the wiggliest child in the world. At dinner time it’s impossible to keep her on her seat. If she’s standing, she isn’t just staying in one place, she’s human hummingbird.

This girl of mine is also funny. We are a silly family, but man, she really likes to ham it up. She’s my foodie buddy. She loves to cook, bake, and enjoys eating things most kids her age, and many adults have never tried. She also likes to destroy things. I say “destroy,” she says “investigate.” She does have a mind for figuring out how things work.

She loves to dance, sing, and play. I like watching her use her imagination in making up dialogue, and activities when she plays with her toys. She thrives on books, and stories. I love peeking at her face while I’m reading her a story that she’s completely engrossed in. She is also my little romantic.

This little one is very sweet, and thoughtful. Whenever we get something for her, and her sister isn’t there – she immediately asks for one for her big sister. In fact, the two of them like to exchange birthday gifts. They choose a gift to give to each other, and they are always far more excited about how the gift will surprise the other. This daughter also loves to give treats to people, just for the fun of it. I blame my mom. She was, and still does, bring a little token, fruit, food, etc when we visited the doctor, for the mail man, for friends, strangers even. I have this same compulsion, and it looks like we’ve passed it on to another generation.

While my little one is very sweet. She is also quite willful. Makes life, quite exciting. Her vocabulary has always been large, just like her sister. I love listening to her speak. She has a voice similar to the little girl in Mrs. Doubtfire. It’s so much fun to hear. She also, measured herself against me, she’s up to my elbow.

We talk about what it’ll be like when she grows up. She’s told me that we are going to live next door to each other, and have a door that connects our houses. She also promises that I get to kiss her babies cheeks anytime I want. We’re both hoping her babies get her luscious, kissable cheeks.

I have to mention, she gives the best, patented Koala hugs ever. What are Koala hugs? Well, ever since she was a baby, I noticed she hugged back, when I was holding her. As her arms and legs have grown longer, she can hold onto me without me using my arms. It’s like she was born with a baby bjorn option built into her arms and legs.

It’s still weird for me to see that she’s growing taller. She’s always been so little. She still is very much our baby. She makes us laugh, and drives us crazy, but she is an indelible part of this family. We are grateful.

Momma’s girl. You make me laugh. I love you always, forever, just as you are. Momma’s got your back!

Today, on the day she was born, she was served breakfast in bed. Her sweet daddy made her green eggs and ham, wheat toast with banana slices and honey, and fresh cantaloupe. The movie she chose to watch while eating her breakfast in bed? Elf.

Recently, my daughter was the spot-lighted girl in her second grade class. In that class it’s called being the mayor. As the mayor she received a book of notes her classmates had written about her. I read the booklet, and felt so happy that those kids easily saw, what I see everyday from her. There’s something special about being around kids, that isn’t the same around adults. Kids tell it like it is, there’s no insincerity. I can’t help but like it – I’m a big fan of what you see is what you get.

Here are a few of the things they said:

“You are a great mayor. You are a funny mayor.”“You are a great mayor, and a good friend, nice friend too. I like to sit by you. You are awesome!”“You are a nice friend.”“You are a great mayor. You have a kind heart.”“You do a great job on math. You get the yard duty for help when someone is hurt.”“You are a great mayor. You are also a funny mayor! You and your sister are cute.”“I like you being the mayor. I like you. You are funny.”“I like you very much. I like to play with you.”“I hope you can be the mayor again. You were such a good mayor. I loved you.”“You are a great mayor. I like the way you danced on Thursday.”“You are a great mayor. I like how you are a good friend. I like how you are a great student to the whole class. You are a really nice friend to everybody. Even when they are hurt you help them all the time.”“You are a great mayor! I like how you like to be funny a lot. You’re also a great artist and a great friend.“You are a great mayor. Also you are kindhearted.”

What else can I say about this daughter of mine. Her birth, changed my life. Her life, continues to teach, shape and mold me. She came to us full of joy. I remember feeling so tired in the mornings, but every morning when I went to pick her up out of her crib, she’d greet me with nothing but those cheerful, big brown eyes, that gorgeous smile, and tummy, rumbling giggles. I could never feel grumpy with a baby like that. She brightened each day.

My parents always talk about how when I was a toddler, whenever I was given any kind of treat, or food, I’d first share it with my parents. They always remarked on it, because my adorable sister would remember to give my parents the wrappers, after she’d enjoyed the treat.

That giving spirit is very much ingrained in my daughter. She is also incredibly empathetic. When one of us is sad, she feels sad with us. When we are in pain, she cries for our pain. When we are happy, she can’t seem to stop smiling, dancing and cheering. She is precious to us.

So, while it doesn’t surprise me that my daughter is kind, loving, funny, talented and a good friend. I am filled with gratitude that her peers recognized those traits in her.

My daughter has always had a very quick, and inquisitive mind. She is intensely curious about the world, what things mean, why phrases are used a certain way, how things affect people. She is never satisfied with a simple answer, she wants to understand the why, the how, the what does it mean on a deeper level. It is that type of mind that allows her to feel so deeply.

My star is also a lover of the arts. I remember as a toddler we’d bounce a ball, and she’d do her toddler dance to the rhythm. If we changed the speed, she’d follow right along. She loves to come home from school, turn on some music and move her body to the tunes. She is my budding artist. I can’t even imagine how many forests we’ve gone through for her consistent writing, drawing and creation of stories, letters, love notes.

My husband sees her reading books and laughs. He calls us girls “peas in a pod” when it comes to enjoying a good book. She is currently enjoying my old favorite, Amelia Bedelia. She loves The Magic Tree House, is just now starting Harry Potter, and I hope to get her turned on to my other favorites, The Boxcar Children and Nancy Drew. I also love how she’ll curl up with her sister, and read stories to her. Sometimes, they’ll sit together and she’ll make up a story for her little sister.

This year has marked a remarkable change in initiative. My oldest is cleaning up her shoes, helping out of her own accord, finding joy in the work she does without being asked. I am often too stunned to know what to do other than hug her.

She’s also doing things for my hubby and I that we do for them. Scratching each other’s backs, massaging our shoulders, being thoughtful. She is so smart, thoughtful, and observant.

This year for school our family theme has been “be not afraid, only believe.” My daughter has talked about how there have been moments at school where she has remembered that theme and said a prayer in her heart to help her, and she is able to pull through. I am grateful that at this young age, she is finding faith, and an inner strength to call upon when life throws up trials in our way.

This morning she wanted to measure herself against me. She is now just a few inches from the top of my shoulder. In terms of character, she’s already surpassed me. That is exactly how it should be. I am honored to be her mother.

Sweetheart. You rock. I love you always, forever, just as you are. Momma’s got your back.

Cheers!

ps.

When she was six, five, and four. The other birthdays are on my private blog.

I’ve been holding back on sharing a new development my husband thought up. Yep, this was all his idea.

We’re both big on family time, and yet, we felt like our daughters needed some one-on-one time with us, individually. So my hubby came up with “Terrific Tuesdays.” The idea is that once a month, on a Tuesday, the girls take turns picking who they get to have a special date with.

In fact, when I was BlogHer ’11 in August, I shared this with Hallmark, as part of their Life is a Special Occasion project. You can view it here. (ps. sometimes I think just as Jay Leno has a giant chin, I have ginormous cheeks)

Hallmark has graciously offered to giveaway one of their fun “___________ is a special occassion” t-shirts and a pack of their lovely cards to one of my readers. Yay!

While I was in the Hallmark suite I browsed through their line-up of cards, and was pleasantly surprised. In fact, I was laughing, out loud. It had been a while since I had walked down any card aisle. Hallmark has done a great job of creating funny, current, relevant cards for any occassion, big or small.

GIVEAWAY!!!

1. To enter to win the Hallmark t-shirt and cards, please leave a comment below.
2. To win another entry, simply “like”my facebook page, and let me know. If you already “like” the page, mention it in the comments and you’re in!
3. If you really just want to be sweet about it, you can also follow me via the google connect on the right side of this page. I’ll give you another entry just for the sweetness.

Winner will be announced next Tuesday.

Happy Terrific Tuesday! Make today special.

Cheers!

ps. I have not been paid by Hallmark for this post. These opinions are my own. Hallmark has simply offered one of my readers a t-shirt and cards.

my hubby drew this free-hand… I always forget how good at art he is.* (asterisks are photos I took, other photos by Katie Butler of Barefoot Life Photography)

I can’t remember when the Johnny Depp, DVD version of Alice in Wonderland came out… but it was earlier this year. After we saw it on one of our family movie nights my daughters immediately wanted a Mad Hatter birthday party.

hubby also did a few cards to cover the recycling/garbage bins, I made the flags I found online*

I agreed.

My friend Sally bought me Johnny…see him?*

They remembered, all through the rest of the summer and reminded me as their birthday month approached.

Our backyard the day after the party…*

I even offered them separate parties this year. We always do their parties together since they are three days apart. They declined. They like being together. That makes me happy.

My friend Lori made these card garlands I had wanted to make…but she’s the seamstress and offered to help me. I’m lucky.*

So… I spent the weeks leading up to their party planning, researching and plotting. The week right before their party – my oldest, broke her arm. So… luckily, I had done the prep work – and the days leading up to the party were filled with putting it altogether.

Lori helping my 4YO with her hat

I will say… I am so grateful. I am grateful first for my husband, who allows me to go nuts with parties. I am grateful he gets involved, excited and works with me to create a day of fantasy for my girls. I am also grateful for my wise, funny, sassy friends Sally and Lori. Sally, the spunkiest, real, hot momma, helped me run a few errands and found Johnny and left him on our doorstep for a surprise. Lori, sexy seamstress extraordinaire and came to help corral the 45 kids we had at our home. Let’s not forget there were lovely mothers who stuck around seeing the chaos that would ensue at a party populated by that many little people.

6YO working with the glue

And… I have to thank my girls. Who… watched and helped with some of the prep work. Their excitement and appreciation… made me smile. In fact, I loved hearing them say, “Mommy, this is so amazing, how did you do that?!?” “Wow, this is so creative, I love it!” “I can’t wait for the party! It’s going to be awesome!” Both my girls are incredibly amazing at noticing details…and lately, they have been voluntarily thanking us, and appreciating us without any prompting that my heart is full of thanks to God for blessing me so completely.

I bought a bunch of feathers, foam leaves, ribbon and other knick knacks and separated a bunch into their own little baggies for an easier crafting grab. All from Michael’s. I also printed out each kids’ name, vertically, so they could glue it to their hat. They looked cute and we could easily identify who belonged to which hat.

Knowing it would be a bit of a mad house… apropos with the mad hatter theme… we hired Katie Butler of Barefoot Life Photography to take some pics. Unless otherwise noted, all pics are taking by Katie. Pictures, myself, or a friend took I’ve added an asterisk*.

Enjoy the pictures!

Party Stats:45 kids (ages 3-7)3-3:30pm – create mad hatter hats in the backyard3:30-4:30pm – Alice in Wonderland magician and face painting4:30-5pm – birthday song, cake, foodWe didn’t get a chance to do presents, and it would’ve taken forever.

About the mad hatter hats. I searched high and low to find ideas. I found the hat idea from a blog I’ve been following for years here. There’s a company in San Diego that does these hats…but I figured, I had saved 45+ paper bags over the last… 5-6 years… I could also spray paint them all too. I had to enlist my hubby to help the last half of the hats… the fumes were getting to me…but they turned out adorable!

At one point some of the kids had finished their hats early. So my fabulous hubby jumped in with simon says.

thank goodness they are still small… they were able to all fit in our family room for the magic show

The fabric hanging and the one on the table I found at a flea market a few years ago.

I tried to make the cupcakes look kooky and whimsical

some of the kids who were done eating… went into our living room to jump on the tramp (ps. this is our 4YO’s prince)

Hubby picked up these costumes for the fun of it…the girls totally got a kick out of us dressed up.